Crap Souvenirs: The Ultimate Kitsch Collection [Paperback]

Doug Lansky (Author)

Book Description

Release date: October 2, 2012

The Best of the Worst

Ah, those tacky trinkets that find their way into our suitcases and our hearts…

The Hugo Chavez action figure from a trip to Venezuela.

A bikini-clad plastic flamingo commemorating your favorite vacation to Miami Beach.

And those Mussolini boxer shorts to memorialize your visit to Italy.

Whether you have some of these items scattered on your shelves or you like to poke fun at those who do, this illustrated collection of tacky souvenirs is for anyone who appreciates the finer aspects of off-the-charts kitsch.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

After working the copying machine at Late Night with David Letterman, Spy Magazine, and The New Yorker during college, Doug Lanksy hit the road. He spent two and a half years working his way around the planet, after which he became America’s youngest nationally syndicated columnist. His weekly “Vagabond” column grew to reach more than 10 million readers in 40 major newspapers. Doug currently tours on the lecture circuit and contributes to Esquire, National Geographic Adventure, and other publications, while running his website, Signspotting.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Perigee Trade (October 2, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399537651
• ISBN-13: 978-0399537653
• Product Dimensions: 4.7 x 6.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #839,614 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Eponymous Title May 5, 2013

By Beverly Kai

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

For anyone who traveled U.S. roads before they all looked alike, this book should be in your own souvenir collection. The book is almost self-parody in that it really is a piece of crap in itself.

Or else it is a priceless reminder of ephemera.

It defines kitch, or crap, as an item which is a sort of hybrid with another item. Like Venus de Milo with a clock in her belly. It does two things very badly.

The souvenir that sticks in my mind is for sale all over Australia. It is a stuffed cane toad standing on its hind legs doing something Australian. The cane toad has no predators in Australia, and so plays hell with the environment. It is so toxic that it can kill your cat. Making it into an ashtray stand, or sunglass holder . . . .or wearing an Ozzie outback hat... is a sort of revenge on it. It says something about the thing that out of 50 years of world travel, when I think of a crap souvenir, I see the stuffed cane toad standing up and waving a cigarette at me.

May you find your own permanent mental marker of your travels.

5.0 out of 5 stars perect gift for the perfect person January 3, 2013

By nancy jene

Format:Paperback

looking for something for easy mailing that reflects the life i share with a dear daughterinlaw. we love estate sales, auctions and thrift stores for the unusual and this book is all of the above. i also included a check to purchase some more crap.